I became more impressed with Ward when he gave his main reason for retiring from the senate: He wants to spend more time with his family including four grandchildren.

State Sen. Giles Ward is one of those politicians you can’t help but like.

In two years of covering the state Legislature, this has always been my takeaway on him: He carries himself with a quiet dignity.

I’ve never seen him upset. Ward is a Republican but works amicably with colleagues across the aisle.

When Ward sent his announcement the day before his appearance last week at the Neshoba County Fair that he would be making a major announcement during his speech, I didn’t think he would announce he wasn’t seeking re-election.

But that’s what happened.

When he said why he was retiring from the Senate, I was immediately impressed. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family, including four grandchildren. Ward is a man with the right priorities.

Maybe part of his desire to step down from public service and spend more time with his family is connected to April 28.

That was the day a tornado roared through the Louisville/Winston County area, where Ward lives. His wife, children, grandchildren and pets hunkered down in their home. The Ward house was destroyed, but the family survived.

The EF4 tornado killed 10 in Winston County and destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes.

Giles called the tornado 45 seconds of pure hell. But he also praised God that his family survived.

When Ward took the stage at the Neshoba County Fair, he said after the experience of going through the tornado, he promised to always give God the glory whenever he spoke.

I have been in my home waiting out a tornado and know how unnerving that wait is. Still, I have never experienced what Ward and his family had to go through. My home has never been hit by a storm.

Ward may not be a familiar name to some in the state, but he is a politician who cares about serving his constituents.

Despite his problems at home, Ward was out the next day helping with rescue efforts and other needs of the community.

Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, who appointed Ward chairman of the Wildlife Committee, said Ward served for one reason: to make Mississippi a better place.

Ward will be around in the state Senate until the end of 2015.

He’s a strong advocate for the Second Amendment right to bear arms. Not everyone may agree with his position, but I think most people would say they support the man who has been a state senator since 2008.

Ward served five terms as a member of the Louisville Board of Aldermen. He worked for 33 years as a regional manager with Georgia-Pacific Corp.

Political affiliations shouldn’t cloud your view of Ward. Anybody who appreciates a politician who doesn’t seek glory or fame should be a Ward fan.